COVENTRY Copsewood have appointed Darren Dickson as their new manager following the recent departure of Carl Nolan to city rivals Coventry Sphinx.

Dickson was assistant to Nolan for the past four years and the Allard Way club were keen to keep continuity.

The 39-year-old has plenty of experience at non-league level as a player with spells at Tamworth, Rugby, Bedworth and Atherstone before hanging his boots up and becoming team boss of Dunlop in the Coventry Alliance.

He joined Nolan at Copsewood back in 2008 and kicked off a successful partnership as the Midland Combination top flight side finished eighth in the duo’s rookie season before coming fifth, fourth and third in the following seasons.

Coventry-born Dickson wants to maintain that momentum and win promotion to the Midland Alliance.

Dickson, who lives in Earlsdon, said: “Certainly we have the foundations on which to build success. We want to join Sphinx in the Alliance and I’m sure we can achieve that with plenty of hard work and dedication.

“I’ve seen enough of the game at this level to know what’s required and my playing knowledge at the higher level will carry me through.”

Copsewood began pre-season training on Monday with just six weeks to go until their opening league game.

Second-team manager Stuart Dutton is Dickson’s number two with former Rugby Town centre-back Craig Herbert as coach.